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Sep 14, 2019

My brother told me about Amish Tripathi and the books he had written. Keeping that in mind I choose the book 2 of The Ram Chandra series. The characterisation and the management of Lord Ram explained by my teacher Mathi Srinivasan in my college days also piqued my interest to read this book. But I was very much disappointed that Sita is depicted as a warrior and the adventures of her look like water down version of Lara Croft - Tomb Raider.

In the story, Hanuman teaches Sita about martial arts! Hanuman has been known to her before Lankan episode looks ridiculous enough that made me stop reading the book.

Sep 3, 2019

Charles Allen one of the great chroniclers of India, a traveller, and a historian his book Ashoka The Search for India's Lost Emperor is a discovery of the Great Indian King who patronised Buddhism and showed religious tolerance.

The above book has 16 chapters, The Breaking of Idols, The Golden Column of Firoz Shah, Objects of Enquiry, Enter Alexander, Furious Orientalists, The Long Shadow of Horace Hayman Wilson, Prinsep's Ghat, Thus Spake King Piyadasi, Brian Hodgson's Gift, Records of the Western Regions, Alexander Cunningham the Great, Sir Alexander is Excelsis, Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, India after Cunningham, Ashoka in the Twentieth Century and The Rise and Fall of Ashokadharma.

This book is not about the life history of Ashoka, as many may feel, it is about how the great king and his work once again brought to the general public.

The entrance of British colonial rule in India paved the way in finding out the lost and forgotten period of ancient India. The laborious work carried out by John Marshall (1670), Jesuit priest Joseph Tiefenthaler (during the 1750s), jurist, scholar, philologist and a child prodigy able to speak fluently in thirteen languages William 'Oriental' Jones (1770s), James Prinsep (1830s) followed by Alexander Cunningham and John Marshall the man behind the discovery of Indus Valley Civilization and finally the Asiatic Society re-discovered Ashoka.

Not only the above mentioned the early writings such as Vishnu Purana, Mahavamsa and the travel accounts of Xuangzang helped to shed light on the subject.

Click the above image to enlarge.

The book further delves into how the Brahmi script was deciphered, the findings of Rock Edicts, Pillar Edicts and stupas. The author also gives us the facts about the burning down the Buddhist library by a warlord Muhammed Bakhtiyar, removal of the golden pillar by Firoz Shah, the brahmans who tried to suppress the records and some kings after the Mauryan dynasty defaced most of the structures erected by King Ashoka.

The above image shows King Ashoka faints on seeing the condition of Bodhi Tree. Click the above image to enlarge. The images are from Wikipedia.

The Rock and Pillar edicts of King Ashoka is given as an appendix. The narration in the book takes us to the 3rd century BCE, for the past one month I have been living in that century, enjoying every page of the book. A collectors edition for history buffs especially Indian history.

Aug 6, 2019

This book is the compilation of seven lectures given by Stephen Hawking. The first lecture is the outline of history of the universe from the big bang to black holes. He briefly describes the previous ideas about the universe.

The second lecture he describes theories of gravity of Newton and Einstein that the universe is either expanding or contracting but not be static. A detailed explanation of the big bang in layman's language finds place in the lecture.

The 3rd lecture the author talks about black holes. How a black hole is formed and some information on the singularity and quantum mechanics.

The 4th lecture is about black holes are not black holes and elaborates on the quantum mechanics of energy leaking out of black holes.

In the 5th lecture the author applies his quantum mechanical ideas to the big bang and the origin of the universe, and he proposes that the space-time is finite and its extent is without boundary. (Needs second time reading to understand).

In the 6th lecture he questions why the laws of physics is time symmetric and why the past is so different from the future. I find it little bit difficult to grasp at first. If some one posts a video for this principle it will be much appreciated.

In the 7th and final lecture is about the most famed Unified Theory. He closes that lecture with an optimistic view of science which I quote below.

"However, if we do discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all be able to take part in the discussion of why the universe exists. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason. For then we would know the mind of God."

Jul 16, 2019

One of my favourite hero "Dirk Pitt" latest adventure "Celtic Empire" wirtten by Clive has been released couple of weeks back. Below is the blurb.

Clive Cussler, "The Grand Master of Adventure," sends his intrepid heroes Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino on their wildest, boldest mission into the ancient world, unlocking extraordinary secrets and solving hideous crimes. Another fabulous read from the most beloved series from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author.

The murders of a team of United Nations scientists in El Salvador. . . A deadly collision in the waterways off the city of Detroit. . . An attack by tomb raiders on an archaeological site along the banks of the Nile. . . Is there a link between these violent events? The answer may lie in the tale of an Egyptian princess forced to flee the armies of her father three thousand years ago.

During what was supposed to be a routine investigation in South America, NUMA Director Dirk Pitt finds himself embroiled in an international mystery, one that will lead him across the world and which will threaten everyone and everything he knows--most importantly, his own family. Pitt travels to Scotland in search of answers about the spread of an unknown disease and the shadowy bio remediation company that may be behind it. Meanwhile, his son and daughter face a threat of their own when the discoveries they have made in an Egyptian tomb put killers on their trail. These seemingly unrelated riddles come together in a stunning showdown on the rocky isles of Ireland, where only the Pitts can unravel the secrets of an ancient enigma that could change the very future of mankind.

Clive Cussler, "The Grand Master of Adventure," sends his intrepid heroes Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino on their wildest, boldest mission into the ancient world, unlocking extraordinary secrets and solving hideous crimes. Another fabulous read from the most beloved series from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author.

The murders of a team of United Nations scientists in El Salvador. . . A deadly collision in the waterways off the city of Detroit. . . An attack by tomb raiders on an archaeological site along the banks of the Nile. . . Is there a link between these violent events? The answer may lie in the tale of an Egyptian princess forced to flee the armies of her father three thousand years ago.

During what was supposed to be a routine investigation in South America, NUMA Director Dirk Pitt finds himself embroiled in an international mystery, one that will lead him across the world and which will threaten everyone and everything he knows--most importantly, his own family. Pitt travels to Scotland in search of answers about the spread of an unknown disease and the shadowy bioremediation company that may be behind it. Meanwhile, his son and daughter face a threat of their own when the discoveries they have made in an Egyptian tomb put killers on their trail. These seemingly unrelated riddles come together in a stunning showdown on the rocky isles of Ireland, where only the Pitts can unravel the secrets of an ancient enigma that could change the very future of mankind.

May 14, 2019

A tear jerker book on three-month critical period of MGR life in 1984. This book is a treasure trove of information pertaining to the treatment given to MGR in India and abroad.

I was little astonished that how MGR's doctor did not took any steps from September 15th to October 4th on health issues that have arised during the function in Thanjavur, Dr. Hande has clearly stated that in the blood test the creatinine Puratchi Thalaivar MGR blood on September 15th. In medical terms the urine should have high level of creatinine and blood should have low level, it means the kidney is not functioning properly, it was a clear message that MGR's doctor should have checked his kidneys, unfortunately nothing was done.

This book can be developed into a wed series so much info packed nicely. The author who was also the Health Minister in MGR's cabinet his role on timely intervention of assembling not only doctors but also engineers who gave crucial advice of how to make air travel of MGR safely are neatly given.

MGR fans will shed tears in couple of chapters for sure. In two chapters my eyes welled up and I was not able to continue my read.

The help MGR has given to many took shape in helping him back when the situation was worse. Timely diagnostic help of Dr. Kanu from Japan his episode of single passenger flight through Singapore airlines, which I already know during my IATA studies are worth to mention.

In all Dr. Hande has beautifully recorded the extraordinary come back of the legendary MGR from his illness. A collector's edition, a must book for MGR fans.

A tear jerker book on three-month critical period of MGR life in 1984. This book is a treasure trove of information pertaining to the treatment given to MGR in India and abroad.

I was little astonished that how MGR's doctor did not took any steps from September 15th to October 4th on health issues that have arised during the function in Thanjavur, Dr. Hande has clearly stated that in the blood test the creatinine Puratchi Thalaivar MGR blood on September 15th. In medical terms the urine should have high level of creatinine and blood should have low level, it means the kidney is not functioning properly, it was a clear message that MGR's doctor should have checked his kidneys, unfortunately nothing was done.

This book can be developed into a wed series so much info packed nicely. The author who was also the Health Minister in MGR's cabinet his role on timely intervention of assembling not only doctors but also engineers who gave crucial advice of how to make air travel of MGR safely are neatly given.

MGR fans will shed tears in couple of chapters for sure. In two chapters my eyes welled up and I was not able to continue my read.

The help MGR has given to many took shape in helping him back when the situation was worse. Timely diagnostic help of Dr. Kanu from Japan his episode of single passenger flight through Singapore airlines, which I already know during my IATA studies are worth to mention.

In all Dr. Hande has beautifully recorded the extraordinary come back of the legendary MGR from his illness. A collector's edition, a must book for MGR fans.

The protagonist Vivek takes up the murder case of D.I.G. Palraj and I.A.S. Officer Ravinder by snake bite. Same time he receives sms from the killer which fuels the plot line, the real killer is revealed in the climax. An interesting read.

Mar 27, 2019

Thanks to Net galley for providing me a with a copy of Famous Assassinations by the author Sarah Herman.

The author provides information of some of the assassinations of most notable figures in history. Some we know and most we don't.

The author Sarah Herman has categorised killings of notoriety from earliest written records to the present, she also given backstory for the assassinations.

The common and mostly known by us are the killing of Emperors/kings to make room for others to the throne, murdering religious leaders for political mileage. But in this book we will find many unknown instances which has the same base.

The book is pretty neat in providing overview and this will help people who needed further study can use this as a spring board.

Feb 17, 2019

The author have given out some facts that could relate that the people of Sumeria are proto Dravidians and some of the Sumerians settled in Dilmun which is termed as a heaven in Sumerian cuneiforms. The author Prabhakaran say that the city Dilmun is Tamil Nadu or South India. The book made me to buy other books related to this topic of human evolution and also about Indus Valley Civilization.

The author has substantiated some facts that there is no submerged country Lemuria which is believed to have existed and was near Kanyakumari. As there is no archaeological evidence till date to disprove his idea. He has given some examples of names from Sumeria and I found other similar words to early Tamil and one such is a place called Mari.

As per the research the first homo sapiens born in East Africa and they started to migrate to other places, and homo sapiens took the seashore route to reach other countries and as such humans came to South India not earlier than 80,000 years before that is earlier than any other civilization. How could we say that Sumerians came to South India as first with their superior culture

A good book to start for those having much interest in Archaeology and human evolution.

Jan 18, 2019

I was awestruck by the authors narration of action scenes. Ananthsimha's writing is joy to read, The novel has 134 pages can be read in one sitting but I feel reading it slowly might help us to go through the intense action he has put down on the paper.

It's a trilogy and the author has kept us waiting to read and anticipate what will be in the sequel. The subject the author has chosen is some what real and I have had a little chat with him on that subject.

The author who is now in early 20s has a bright future in writing action novels, his knowledge about the weapons, types of vehicles used in combat and terminologies are awesome.

Jan 2, 2019

March 1906, Rolls-Royce Limited had put all their money, and that of their investors into this improved six cylinder engine. Every last penny had gone into the design of that, as well as a chassis meant to withstand the harsh country roads. When the world seemed to laugh at them, saying it couldn't be done, they'd persevered. And now they were on the verge of accomplishing the impossible.

Clive Cussler sitting on the Ahrens Fox Pumper Fire Engine.

Did they, yes they did and the car named Grey Ghost was stolen by one of his employees. Detective Isaac Bell finds out the stolen legendary car. After some decades the owner of Grey Ghost now tries to sell the car and again the car vanishes and the theft was blamed on Albert Payton. Sam and Remi Fargo's who are related to the Paytons take up the case and finds out the Grey Ghost and a hidden treasure.

A different kind of adventure story with family sentiments. The novel has a love story of Jonathan Payton and Miss Lydia Atwater which comes in way of journal, an interesting and creative way of storytelling used by the author.

The book too has a hostage situation and how cleverly the Fargo's handle.

The adventures of Fargo's are top notch, the escapades are many and I liked their break out from a burning warehouse using Ahrens Fox pumper fire engine (the one shown in the book cover). The couple faces all kinds of hurdles even their accounts get frozen, their movement restricted and overcoming these dire situations are thrilling to read.

I want to quote one instance involving Remi and an annoying lady in the ticket counter.

Train to Calais was set to leave than five minutes. The woman in front of her was at the window, busy asking questions about what to do with her luggage once she was on the train.

Remi watched the clock ticking. Worried, she leaned forward and said, "About how much longer will you be? I'm about to miss my train."

The woman looked back at her, an annoyed expression on her face. "If you don't mind, it is my turn."

I apologize, Remi said, clasping her hands together. I just found out my father's been taken to the hospital. He might not make it.

The woman appeared unmoved.

"And his dog is locked in the house with no one to take care of him."

Why didn't you say so? The woman moved aside, allowing Remi to pass.

After buying the ticket, the lady says "I hope your dog is okay!"
(Some people attitude is always the same)

Kudos Mr.Cussler and Robin Burcell for succeeding in making yet another action, adventure reading for the fans.